A store manager's unsuccessful attempt to stop a shoplifter ended with the fleeing suspect in custody and more than two dozen people being treated by Anne Arundel County Fire personnel.

Police say a woman tried to steal a pair of boots from Off Broadway Shoes in Arundel Mills. When the manager confronted her, she sprayed him with pepper spray. Police say 25-30 people ended up getting caught in the cloud.

The suspect fled with the boots, but a mall security officer confronted her. She threatened him with a knife and when he disarmed her, she pepper sprayed him. The officer took the pepper spray from her and used it on her, police say.

No one was seriously hurt, and security held the suspect in custody until police arrived. She's charged with robbery, theft, assault and reckless endangerment.

The suspect and one store employee were taken to Baltimore Washington Medical Center for treatment for exposure to the pepper spray.

Police identified the suspect as Cierra Bianca Scott, 24, of the 5000 Block of Brookwood Rd. in Baltimore.